The Odyssey
(an Illustrated Retelling of the Classic Greek Myth for Middle Grade Readers and Kids Ages 8-12)
Candlewick Press · Print & ebook · March 18, 2025
“Every image seems to have been created with unhurried care; it’s a quiet but monumental piece of work.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review) Odysseus faces storm and shipwreck, a terrifying man-eating Cyclops, the alluring but deadly Sirens, and the fury of the sea-god Poseidon as he makes his ten-year journey home from the Trojan War.
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- Who it’s for
- An illustrated retelling brings Homer’s long journey home into vivid, readable focus.
- Themes
- Perilous homecoming, Penelope's struggle against suitors
- Genres
- Greek & Roman Myths, The Classics, Fairy Tales & Folklore
Nearest books
Matched by what the books are about, then ordered by what their readers also loved. Most of these share its genre: Greek & Roman Myths.
D'aulaires Book of Greek MythsIngri d'Aulaire, Edgar Parin d'Aulaire66% match
The Trojan WarOlivia E. Coolidge74% matchAlso shares The Classics
Greek MythsJean Menzies71% match
The Iliad for Boys and GirlsAlfred J. Church71% matchAlso shares The Classics
Greeking OutKenny Curtis, Jillian Hughes71% matchAlso shares Fairy Tales & Folklore
The Mcelderry Book of Greek MythsEric A. Kimmel69% match
Greek MythsOlivia E. Coolidge69% matchAlso shares The Classics
For older readers: The Iliad: a Graphic Novel, The Odyssey: a Graphic Novel, Greek Myths
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“Every image seems to have been created with unhurried care; it’s a quiet but monumental piece of work.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review) Odysseus faces storm and shipwreck, a terrifying man-eating Cyclops, the alluring but deadly Sirens, and the fury of the sea-god Poseidon as he makes his ten-year journey home from the Trojan War.
Continue reading
And while Odysseus struggles to return to Ithaca, his wife, Penelope, fights a different kind of battle as her palace is invaded by forceful, greedy men who tell her that Odysseus is dead and she must choose a new husband. Will Odysseus reach her in time? Homer’s epic, age-old story is powerfully told by Carnegie Medalist Gillian Cross and stunningly illustrated by Neil Packer.
Epic, Reimagined
An illustrated retelling brings Homer’s long journey home into vivid, readable focus.
Come here for
- Greek myth with danger, sea-gods, and a hard-won journey home
- A parallel struggle for Penelope, not just Odysseus
Expect
- A classic epic powerfully retold by Gillian Cross
- Illustrations by Neil Packer
Where it sits
| Greek & Roman Myths | 84% |
|---|---|
| Fairy Tales & Folklore | 39% |
| The Classics | 39% |
Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.
Publisher categories
- Mythical Creatures
- The Classics
- Greek & Roman Myths
- Authors
- Gillian Cross
- Publisher
- Candlewick Press
- Published
- March 18, 2025
- Format
- Print & ebook
- Theme
- Perilous homecoming · Penelope's struggle against suitors
- Reading lane
- Mythical Creatures